Black Forest partially reopened

Crews have gained the upper hand on the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. Officials say more than half the blaze is contained. The incident commander says containment of the Black Forest Fire is now at 55 percent. The fire outside Colorado Springs has destroyed nearly 500 homes and killed two people.

On Saturday night, around 1,400 households off Hodgen Road and Highway 83 were allowed to return to their homes for the first time since mandatory evacuations went into effect Tuesday.

Many waited for about an hour while firefighters and electric company workers cleared the roads that led home. Residents remained patient and seemed grateful for the opportunity to return home.

"We still have a house," said Bobbette MacDonald. "We've seen the roof from some aerial views. We don't know what shape it's in, we don't know if the windows are broken but we have a house."

She and her husband Bill didn't plan on sleeping at their home Saturday night but said they couldn't pass on the opportunity.

"Are you kidding me?" asked Bill MacDonald. "Where else would we be?"

Copyright 2013 KRDO. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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